HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland, a campus of HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, has received a Level III trauma designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services, as announced in a news release July 7.

The hospital has transitioned from a Level IV facility to a Level III in the efforts to expand their services for the community and offer the best care possible, according to Jim Russell, CEO of HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland.

“Pursuing Level III trauma designation allows us to provide higher-level trauma care, ensuring patients with severe injuries can receive timely and appropriate care close to home,” Russell said.

Each level represents a different level of trauma care and resources, with Level I being the highest and Level IV being the lowest. The specific criteria and services may vary, but these designations help ensure patients receive appropriate care based on the severity of their injuries and the resources available at each facility, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

• Level I trauma center: These facilities deliver the highest level of trauma care with specialized resources, round-the-clock availability of specialists, advanced equipment, and engagement in research and education.
• Level II trauma center: These centers also provide comprehensive trauma care but may have slightly fewer resources than Level I centers. They offer both initial and definitive care for most injuries with access to specialists and advanced diagnostic and surgical capabilities.
• Level III trauma center: These centers assess, resuscitate, stabilize and manage injured patients. They act as a critical link between smaller health care facilities and higher-level trauma centers, offering resources and care for moderate to severe injuries.
• Level IV trauma center: These community hospitals or smaller facilities offer initial evaluation, stabilization and transfer of injured patients. They possess basic trauma care capabilities, limited specialized services and transfer agreements with higher-level trauma centers.

The facility serves as a community resource for disaster preparedness and response, overseen by the trauma medical director, according to the release.

"Recovery is greatly increased when a severely injured patient receives care at a trauma center within the first hour of injury," said Dr. Leila Green, medical director of trauma services at HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland, in the release.